Vocation Director Message

A message from our Vocations Director, Fr. John

Welcome to discernment with the Oblates of the Virgin Mary! Here are some signs of an Oblate vocation:

A serious desire to become a saint.

A sincere devotion to the Holy Eucharist.

A loving relationship with the Virgin Mary.

Fidelity to the Pope and the Magisterium.

A humble spirit of service and sacrifice.

A desire for contemplative prayer and silence.

Capacity for friendship and community life.

A confident masculine identity and integrity.

Zeal for the salvation of souls.

Maybe one of these resonates with you…or maybe you are drawn to us in some other way. Everyone’s path is unique. Trust!

No matter what, I want you to know that great graces await you on the path and adventure of your vocation. If you are being called to be an Oblate Religious Priest or Brother, the Lord is offering you a great gift and joy. Do not be afraid! Do not be afraid to share with me, with your priest, or your spiritual director that you think God may be calling you. There are many things that may pass through your mind and heart as you linger on this sense of being called by God. I suspect that all priests and religious will tell you that once they spoke about their calling with a priest or religious, they were given more clarity and understanding and peace about it.

As Mary directs us at Cana, listen to Jesus and “Do what He tells you!” Even a little “Yes” to God in your discernment will give you greater clarity in your vocational journey.

Venerable Fr Pio Bruno Lanteri, our founder, loved quoting and dwelling on Wisdom 1:1: “Think of the Lord in goodness.” Do that. Think of the Lord in goodness, and trust in Him. He is calling you to some great service of love, in the call to the New Evangelization.

If you sense that you are being called to be an Oblate brother or priest, please contact me at vocations@omvusa.org or 617-869-2429.